This Porsche 356 Speedster replica was acquired by the seller from Vintage Speedsters of Hawaiian Gardens, California, in 1998. After sitting for approximately five years, work in preparation for the sale involved overhauling the brakes and fuel system, performing fluid services, and replacing the tires, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor, and carburetor. The car is finished in silver with a black soft top and top boot over red vinyl upholstery and is powered by a 1.9-liter flat-four linked to a four-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes front disc brakes and chrome 15″ wheels with hubcaps in addition to a Nardi Torino wood shift knob and steering wheel, a JVC CD stereo, and aftermarket speakers. This 356 replica is now offered with a black tonneau cover, recent service records, and a clean Ohio title in the seller’s name listing it as a 1968 Volkswagen.
The fiberglass body is finished in silver and features a black soft top and top boot as well as a left side mirror, a single-grille decklid, dual polished exhaust outlets, and gold badging. The seller notes that paintwork was performed on the rear in 2012. The hardware for one of the soft top clamps is missing, the tonneau cover is patched, the chrome trim is pitted, the rubber seals around the mirror and door handles are cracked, and paint chips and scratches are present around the body.
Chrome 15″ wheels wear hub caps and are mounted with 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires showing 2023 production date codes. Work in November 2023 involved rebuilding the front brake calipers, replacing the master cylinder, lines, front pads, rotors, and wheel bearings, and rear drums, shoes, and wheel cylinders as well as flushing the fluid.
The bucket seats are trimmed in red vinyl and accompanied by a matching dashboard pad and door panels. Black carpets line the floor and appointments include a Nardi Torino wood shift knob, a JVC CD stereo, and aftermarket speakers.
A Nardi Tornio wood-rimmed steering wheel fronts a 6k-rpm tachometer flanked by a 185-km/h speedometer and a combination gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 12k kilometers (~7k miles), all of which were added under current ownership.
The rear-mounted 1.9L flat-four was fitted with a 34 PICT-3 carburetor in November 2023, at which time the valves were adjusted and the push rod tubes, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor, and battery were replaced. Additional work at that time involved cleaning and coating the inside of the fuel tank, replacing the pump and filter, and changing the oil.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle which is reportedly equipped with taller second and third gearing. The fluids for the transaxle and differential were changed in November 2023.
The chassis number 118729562 shown above is consistent with a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle and corresponds with the VIN on the current Ohio title.